Branford needs to promote business and increase tourism, according to discussions about the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). However, one of the main necessities is a transit shuttle to link popular venues and neighborhoods.

Wednesday’s meeting of the POCD Steering Committee centered around economic development strategies related to business and the economy. About 25 people attended the session, which was held at 4:30 p.m. at Canoe Brook Senior Center. The next meeting will be at the same time and location on Feb. 7 when infrastructure will be discussed. In addition, the Steering Committee is asking residents to participate in the Online POCD Survey, which can be found on the town’s website.

The winter chill continues, but there are plenty of activities to warm the heart. For those missing the fruits (and veggies) of summer, there’s a farmers market. Activists can take part in the Women’s Marches in Hartford and in New York City. And there are cool events for book lovers, would-be artists, film buffs, and music lovers, and much more. Got a cool event? Email sebahner@snet.net by Wednesday noon.

Through March 31

A retail project on a vacant 14-acre site along Route 1 was unanimously approved by the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) last week. Plans call for two retail buildings, but the names have not been made public. Apparently there is no town requirement to do so.

The property is located at 250 N. Main St., adjacent to the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home on one side; and United Tire Inc. and Greystone Manor condominiums on the other side.

This past month members of the Branford Economic Development Commission, Board of Selectman, Board of Finance, Branford High School along with Town Hall department heads joined with Branford biotech officials at the Blackstone Memorial Library to say “farewell and thank you” to Susan Froshauer, outgoing CEO and president of Connecticut United for Research Excellence, Inc. (CURE). Then they welcomed incoming CEO Dawn Hocevar. They also welcomed a new name for the organization: BioCT.

Branford, with dozens of life science companies, has been a CURE member since 2001, the first municipality to join the organization.CURE is a not-for-profit organization that works to keep Connecticut competitive in bio-science by building and supporting educational and business networks in order to maintain a critical mass for the industry in Connecticut.

People will have another opportunity to make suggestions and ask questions about the update of the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) before the draft is compiled. In addition, a recent request centers on adding coastal issues to the topics of conservation, development and infrastructure.

After listening to requests for another public meeting, the POCD Steering Committee agreed Wednesday to schedule an open comment session. Town Planner Harry Smith said the meeting could be held in either February or March.

Branford’s treasured shoreline is both a blessing and a challenge, according to the majority of people who attended a public workshop to discuss the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

About 220 people participated in the workshop which was held in the cafeteria at Walsh Intermediate School Wednesday evening. They selected coastal issues as the number-one area of concern, particularly the impact of rising seas and frequent storms.

Remember: The only public workshop to make suggestions for Branford’s 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) will be this Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Walsh Intermediate School cafeteria, 185 Damascus Road. The state requires municipalities to update the POCD every 10 years. There will also be discussions and surveys with boards and commissions and a phone survey of residents. The POCD committee meetings are open to the public, and comments can be sent to Town planner Harry Smith at hsmith@branford-ct.gov.

In the spring, there will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed draft, and there will be a public hearing in the fall to discuss the proposed plan. Click here to read more about the POCD.

What would you like to change in Branford? Do you have suggestions or questions? Now’s the time to speak up.

A public workshop for updating the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) will be held Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Walsh Intermediate School, 185 Damascus Road. The POCD is “a tool for guiding the future of Branford. It is intended to be both visionary and action-oriented,” the POCD said in introducing its 2008 report. The POCD is updated every 10 years, and this one is due for completion in November 2018.